Arizona State's young defense, still trying to find its way in coach Todd Graham's attacking scheme, will try to balance aggression and discipline in Saturday's non-conference contest at New Mexico.

The Lobos run the triple-option, an offense that thrives on misdirection and diversion. In last week's 31-24 home loss to Texas-El Paso, they rushed for 410 yards, throwing only nine passes. They had 15 rushing plays of at least 10 yards, which ranks tied for third nationally, and four rushing plays of 30-plus yards, which leads the country.

"We've talked about discipline and not taking the aggression out of our defense," Graham said at Monday's weekly news conference. "We're an attacking defense. We'll always be an attacking defense (but) the big thing is discipline. Not taking care of your responsibility, that can't happen. You got to be disciplined against this type of offense."

A break for ASU: New Mexico quarterback Cole Gautsche, who rushed for 184 yards last week, is doubtful for Saturday with an injured hamstring. Senior Clayton Mitchem, who has starting experience, is the likely replacement. Mitchem passes the football better than Gautsche, but doesn't run the triple-option as well. New Mexico coach Bob Davie told reporters redshirt freshman Lamar Jordan also could play.

Graham said the Sun Devils will prepare the same way no matter which quarterback starts. Defensive success against the triple option basically boils down to shutting down the fullback dive, containing the quarterback and not getting burned around the edges. The Sun Devils also can't bite on play-action, Graham said.

A concern: receiver Carlos Wiggins, a 5-foot-8 sparkplug New Mexico likes to try and get on the perimeter. "They have very, very fast skill players," said Graham, later adding: "They can make you look bad."

Offensive coordinator Mike Norvell's assessment of the Sun Devils in last Thursday's win over Weber State: He was disappointed it took three possessions to reach the end zone. And he thought senior quarterback Taylor Kelly missed a couple big-play opportunities.

Other than that, Norvell thought ASU was sharp.

"We do have a veteran group in a lot of aspects, but we also have two receivers who have never started," he said. "We have (an H-back in senior De'Marieya Nelson) who has never been a full-time (H-back). We have two new offensive linemen (in junior left guard Christian Westerman and junior center Nick Kelly) and a tailback (in junior D.J. Foster), who has never been a premier tailback.

"When you look at it, it's about how those 11 guys play together. That's the thing I was pleased with. I saw a lot of growth. There were probably more positive things in that game than there have been in our other first games."

The night's biggest positives: ASU came out in the third quarter and scored on its first two drives, an area in which the Sun Devils struggled last season. Also, Norvell was pleased with sophomore tight end Kody Kohl, who didn't catch a pass, but had a presence with his physicality and blocking.

"That's one of the guys I thought really stood out," Norvell said. "Kody validated what I wanted to see."

Graham on Foster, who rushed for 147 yards Thursday: "D.J. is a very physical person. He likes running over people instead of running around them. Sometimes I'd like for him to just run around them, but I like his mindset. He's my kind of tailback."

• Senior running back Deantre Lewis didn't play in the first half of Thursday's win because of a team-rules violation. In the second half, he suffered a minor injury and didn't return. He should be fine this week.

• Graham said senior linebacker Marcus Washington earned more snaps after playing well in Thursday's opener. Washington had the key fourth-down stop during ASU's first-half goal-line stand.

ASU vs. Weber State:

Arizona State wide receiver Gary Chambers holds up the pitchfork after beating Weber State 45-14 in the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona State running back D.J. Foster scores on a 57-yard touchdown run against Weber State in the second half during the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

ASU head coach Todd Graham is upset with his team after a penalty was called against them during the first quarter of a game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

Arizona State head coach Todd Graham yells at his players during the season opener against Weber State on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly throws a pass against Weber State during the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona State wide receiver Gary Chambers makes a touchdown catch against Weber State in the first quarter during the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

ASU wide receiver Jaelen Strong is tackled by Weber State cornerback Cordero Dixon during the first quarter of an ASU game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

Sparky cheers with fans after ASU scores a touchdown during the first quarter of an ASU game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

ASU wide receiver Jaelen Strong is tackled by Weber State linebacker Emmett Tela during the first quarter of an ASU game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

ASU quarterback Taylor Kelly, left, and running back D.J. Foster, center, celebrate a touchdown during the second quarter of ASU's game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

ASU kicker Zane Gonzalez gets a high-five from teammate Easton Wahlstrom (64) after making a field goal during the first quarter of a game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

ASU linebacker Salamo Fiso (58) sacks the Weber State quarterback Billy Green (11) during the first quarter of a game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

ASU wide receiver Ellis Jefferson, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of the season opening game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong runs for a first down against Weber State during the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly throws a pass down field against Weber State during the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Weber State quarterback Billy Green gets a pass off before ASU linebacker D.J. Calhoun can sack him during the first quarter of ASU's season opener at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

ASU running back D.J. Foster (8) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Fred Gammage during the third quarter of a game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

ASU running back D.J. Foster runs for a touchdown during the third quarter of the team's season opener against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

Football fans watch the Pac-12 college football game against between ASU and Washington State from the top of "A" Mountain on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. (Photo: David Wallace/azcentral sports)

Arizona State Sun Devils fan Tristan Kemm of Pueblo, Colo. gets in the mood prior to their NCAA football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports)

Stephen McGarry pauses to buy a photo from the Arizona State cheerleaders prior to their NCAA football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports)

Arizona State fans pour into the stadium prior to their NCAA football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports)

Arizona State fans tailgate prior to their NCAA football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports)

Arizona State fan Tim Case gets in the spirit prior to their NCAA football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports)

Former ASU defensive back Darren Woodson, who played for ASU between 1989-1991 and former ASU defensive back Eric Allen who played between 1984-1987 were inducted into the Ring of Honor during the ceremony at halftime of the Utah and Arizona State college football game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Saturday, November 1, 2014. Their banners are seen in the stadium during the game. (Photo: David Wallace/azcentral sports)

The ASU student section cheers as ASU takes the field before the college football game against Utah on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: David Wallace/azcentral sports)

(From left to right) Mark Evans of Las Vegas, Nev., his wife Kisha Evans, and Cindy George (sitting take picture with her phone) of Gilbert watch the ASU Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, in Tempe. (Photo: David Wallace/azcentral sports)

The Arizona State Sun Devils student section cheers during the college football game against the Stanford Cardinal at Sun Devil Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Arizona State fans celebrate Jaelen Strong's "Hail Mary" pass from Mike Bercovici to defeat USC on the final play of the game on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona State student Bryan Chen, 23, holds his hands to his face in disbelief after UCLA's Ishmael Adams intercepted a pass and ran it back for a touchdown with a couple of seconds left in the first half of a game on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: Tom Tingle/azcentral sports)

Arizona State fans Cody Williams, Carter Kling and John Collie (right) cheer as the Sun Devils take the field to play UCLA on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

A young Arizona State Sun Devils fan reacts as he watches from the grandstands against the UCLA Bruins at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)

Arizona State Sun Devils fans hold up a picture of head coach Todd Graham in the first half against the UCLA Bruins at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)

Arizona State strength and conditioning coach Shawn Griswold, left, carries "The Rock" with kickers Alex Garoutte, middle, and Zane Gonzalez, right, as they march with the team into Sun Devil Stadium before the Arizona State vs. UCLA game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Thursday afternoon, Sept. 25, 2014. The teams are beginning to build somewhat of a rivalry in the Pac-12 South division. (Photo: Tom Tingle/azcentral sports)

Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly hobbles in on crutches into Wells Fargo Arena before the Arizona State vs. UCLA game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Thursday afternoon, Sept. 25, 2014. The teams are beginning to build a rivalry in the Pac-12 South division. (Photo: Tom Tingle/azcentral sports)

Arizona State fans Kimberly Sepulveda, 24, her fiance Brandon Billaber, 28, and Brad Berdine, 31, all from Gilbert, play beanbag toss as fans get ready before the Arizona State vs. UCLA game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. The teams are beginning to build a rivalry in the Pac-12 South division. (Photo: Tom Tingle/azcentral sports)

Sparky poses for a photo in front of a group of ASU fans who traveled to Albuquerque for the game against the New Mexico Lobos at University Stadium. Arizona State won 58-23. (Photo: Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports)

Sparky cheers with fans after ASU scores a touchdown during the first quarter of an ASU game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

Brady McDonough, 8, of Scottsdale, tags Thomas Peck, 8, of Chandler during a touch football game before an ASU game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

Arizona Department of Transportation Enforcement Sgt. Brian Armstrong, left, and Officer Sean Dalley, talk to ASU fans about the new tailgating and alcohol restrictions before an ASU game against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Aug. 28, 2014. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports)

ASU's D.J. Foster ran for a career-high 216 yards to become the first Sun Devils back to top 200 yards since Delvon Flowers had 226 against Oregon State in 2001 in ASU's 58-23 win over New Mexico. ASU record: 2-0

No. 11 UCLA - playing its most complete game of the season - poured over No. 15 ASU like a tidal wave, knocking out the Sun Devils 62-27 in front of 60,876 at blacked-out Sun Devil Stadium. ASU record: 3-1

Playing in front of friends and family, Mike Bercovici hit junior receiver Jaelen Strong with a 46-yard Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game, giving the Sun Devils a shocking 38-34 win over No.16 USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. ASU record: 4-1

With the game on the line, senior quarterback Taylor Kelly produced his best drive of the contest, leading the No. 14 Sun Devils to a 24-10 win over Washington in front of 64,666 fans at Husky Stadium. ASU record: 6-1

Comment: The Utes are grumpy. They haven't been to a bowl game the past two seasons. The fact that ASU has beaten them 10 consecutive times probably doesn't help.

Saturday, Nov. 8

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame

Location: Sun Devil Stadium

Time and TV: TBD

Comment: This is the game the Fighting Irish tried to cancel, only then-ASU Athletic Director Steve Patterson wasn't hearing it. He threatened a lawsuit, and here we are. The Sun Devils should have this one circled considering they should've beaten Notre Dame last season.

Saturday, Nov. 15

Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

At Oregon State

Location: Corvallis, Ore.

Time and TV: TBD

Comment: The Beavers typically give ASU problems in Corvallis. They've beaten the Sun Devils four consecutive times at home.

Saturday, Nov. 22

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Washington State

Location: Sun Devil Stadium

Time and TV: TBD

Comment: Don't sleep on the Cougars. They have stolen a victory in the desert before. Just ask Arizona.

Friday, Nov. 28 - 1:30 p.m.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

At Arizona

Location: Tucson, Ariz.

TV: Channel 10 (FOX)

Comment: In two years at ASU, Graham is 2-0 against former boss Rich Rodriguez. Just a hunch: A third win would not go over well in Tucson.